Mini Biography

Dr. Veronica Poitras completed her PhD in Kinesiology at Queen’s University in September of 2014. Her graduate work focused on: 1) the impact of lifestyle factors (psychosocial stress and consumption of a high-fat diet) on cardiovascular health and function, and 2) the cardiovascular consequences of type 2 diabetes and the preliminary development of an intervention to enhance exercise tolerance in this population. She joined HALO in December 2014 as part of the team working to develop the world’s first “24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth”. This project is based on the appreciation that all behaviours along the movement continuum (from sleep and sedentary behaviours to vigorous intensity physical activity) interact with one another with respect to health, and ultimately aims to improve the overall well-being of children and youth. She is also involved in a number of initiatives aimed at advancing physical activity in children and youth in Canada and around the world (e.g., with the Active Canada 20/20 Active Play Action Group, and the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance). Outside of work, Veronica loves spending time in the Great Outdoors. She enjoys cycling, hiking, snowshoeing, group exercise/fitness classes, reading, baking/cooking, and spending time with family and friends.